WHEREAS,
All political power is inherent in the people and government
exists for the protection, security and benefit of the people;
and

WHEREAS,
The people of this State have reserved to themselves, as
part of their intrinsic sovereignty, the right to alter
or reform the State Constitution and the statutes when the
public good may require it; and

WHEREAS,
The current system of property taxation in this State is
unfair because it is not based on the ability to pay and
is applied in an inequitable and nonuniform manner; and

WHEREAS,
There is a need to revise and amend the State Constitution
and the statutes to lessen the dependence of local government
on property taxes, reduce property taxes as a share of overall
public revenue, and find alternative means of funding local
government services; and

WHEREAS,
The Legislature, when considering proposals for broad restructuring
of revenue sources, recognizes that there is great political
risk in making recommendations which the general public
might perceive as increasing taxes; and

WHEREAS,
It is, therefore, essential that the citizens of New Jersey
are fully engaged in the effort to restructure taxes; and

WHEREAS,
The most effective way to have maximum participation is
a public vote on whether or not to proceed with a tax reform
process and, if this question is approved, another vote
by the public to ratify the recommendations for tax reform;
and

WHEREAS,
The convening of a special convention for the purpose of
recommending amendments to the New Jersey Constitution and
changes to the statutes is the most appropriate method for
building a consensus for, and implementing, reform; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED,
that the Governing Body of the ________________________
of ____________________________ does, hereby express its
strong support for the convening of such a convention; and
be it, further,

RESOLVED,
that we do call upon our State Senator, __________________
and our Representatives in the General Assembly, _____________________
and _____________________, that they support, with voice
and vote, A-1858 & ACR-107/S-756 & SCR-68legislation
that would empower the people to express their will concerning
the convening of such a convention; and be it, further,

RESOLVED,
that copies of this Resolution be forwarded to Senator ______________________,
to Assembly Members ___________________ and ________________,
to Governor Corzine and to the New Jersey State League of
Municipalities.

DRAFT RESOLUTION
PREPARED BY THE NEW JERSEY LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES (For
further information, contact Jon Moran.)

WHEREAS,
All political power is inherent in the people and government
exists for the protection, security and benefit of the people;
and

WHEREAS,
The people of this State have reserved to themselves, as
part of their intrinsic sovereignty, the right to alter
or reform the State Constitution and the statutes when the
public good may require it; and

WHEREAS,
The current system of property taxation in this State is
unfair because it is not based on the ability to pay and
is applied in an inequitable and nonuniform manner; and

WHEREAS,
There is a need to revise and amend the State Constitution
and the statutes to lessen the dependence of local government
on property taxes, reduce property taxes as a share of overall
public revenue, and find alternative means of funding local
government services; and

WHEREAS,
The Legislature, when considering proposals for broad restructuring
of revenue sources, recognizes that there is great political
risk in making recommendations which the general public
might perceive as increasing taxes; and

WHEREAS,
It is, therefore, essential that the citizens of New Jersey
are fully engaged in the effort to restructure taxes; and

WHEREAS,
The most effective way to have maximum participation is
a public vote on whether or not to proceed with a tax reform
process and, if this question is approved, another vote
by the public to ratify the recommendations for tax reform;
and

WHEREAS,
The convening of a special convention for the purpose of
recommending amendments to the New Jersey Constitution and
changes to the statutes is the most appropriate method for
building a consensus for, and implementing, reform; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED,
that the Governing Body of the ________________________
of ____________________________ does, hereby express its
strong support for the convening of such a convention; and
be it, further,

RESOLVED,
that we do call upon our State Senator, __________________
and our Representatives in the General Assembly, _____________________
and _____________________, that they support, with voice
and vote, A-1858 & ACR-107/S-756 & SCR-68legislation
that would empower the people to express their will concerning
the convening of such a convention; and be it, further,

RESOLVED,
that copies of this Resolution be forwarded to Senator ______________________,
to Assembly Members ___________________ and ________________,
to Governor Corzine and to the New Jersey State League of
Municipalities.

DRAFT RESOLUTION
PREPARED BY THE NEW JERSEY LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES (For
further information, contact Jon Moran.)